CHICAGO (thefutoncritic.com) -- The latest development news, culled from various wire reports each morning:

EBAY TV (Syndication) - Sony Pictures Television has pushed back the start date for its upcoming syndicated series to fall 2004. The delay has been attributed to several station managers wanting more time to install the eBay e-commerce platform that serves as a key component of the business model for the show. The series, which was originally set to bow this fall, had been cleared in most of the major markets (including the Viacom, Gannett, Belo, Raycom and Clear Channel conglomerates) and is expected to retain those clearances for the new date.

MARRIAGE (HBO) - British actor Jonathan Cake ("The American Embassy") is the first to be cast in Steven Bochco's upcoming drama series for the pay channel. The series, about a married couple of five years (Cake, and an actress yet to be cast), is set entirely in one location - the couple's apparement. HBO has given the project a 13 episode order for a 2004 start date. Bochco created the series along with Alison Cross ("Philly").